Sanjay Raut attacks BJP’s Annamalai over remark on Mumbai, demands arrest

Mumbai | Undercover Editor News Channel, January 11, 2026

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Saturday strongly criticised BJP leader K. Annamalai for his controversial remark that Mumbai is “not a Maharashtra city”, demanding that a case be registered against him and that he be arrested for making what Raut termed an insult to Maharashtra’s capital.

Addressing reporters in Mumbai, Raut said Annamalai’s statement was unacceptable and hurt the sentiments of Maharashtrians. “How can anyone speak like this about Mumbai, which is the capital of Maharashtra? The Chief Minister should immediately file a case against him and have him arrested. He should not be allowed to leave Mumbai,” Raut said.

Annamalai, who is campaigning for the upcoming Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections scheduled for January 15, had said on Friday that Mumbai was an “international city” and not just a city of Maharashtra. His remark quickly triggered political outrage across parties.

Raut pointed out that Annamalai is a star campaigner for the BJP and questioned whether his statement reflected the party’s official stand. He also demanded that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis clarify his position on the issue. Taking aim at the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Raut accused the BJP’s ally of remaining silent despite what he described as an attack on Maharashtra’s pride. “Where is your self-respect?” he asked, targeting the Shinde faction.

Reacting to the controversy, state BJP minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule sought to play down the remarks, saying statements made during speeches are often misunderstood. “It is necessary to understand what exactly he meant before drawing conclusions,” Bawankule said.

Meanwhile, the Shinde-led Shiv Sena distanced itself from Annamalai’s comment. Party leader and minister Deepak Kesarkar asserted that Mumbai is an inseparable part of Maharashtra and belongs to the Marathi people. “Mumbai is Maharashtra’s capital and India’s financial hub. Its identity should remain intact. Such statements should not be made,” Kesarkar said.

The controversy has added heat to the already charged atmosphere ahead of the BMC elections, with political parties trading sharp words over identity, governance and control of the country’s financial capital.